The Star-News

Bright future likely for Barons’ Schroeder

Fri, Jan 24 2014 08:18 PM Posted By: John Philip Wyllie

It is somewhat unusual for a sophomore to be playing varsity basketball, let alone starting, but then Bonita Vista’s five-foot-ten super sophomore Carol Schroeder is no ordinary player. Having developed under the watchful eye and tutelage of her grandfather, Dean Brunson, a former collegiate basketball coach, Schroeder plays like a seasoned senior.

“We have had a lot of injuries so far this season and Carol has been carrying us,” said BV’s proud coach, Wayne Wooten. “She is one of the best players I have ever coached. She’s averaging about 20 points per game, is in double figures for rebounding, has very good court awareness and is our most versatile player.”

Thanks to her grandfather, Schroeder began playing basketball at an early age.

“I think I might have still been in diapers when my grandfather bought me a basketball and some golf clubs,” Schroeder recalled. “At first, I liked golf better, but I quickly got away from that. Growing up, I played basketball against the boys a lot and I think that has really helped my game. I owe a lot of my success to my grandfather.”

Schroeder was listed by the San Diego Hall of Champions among its preseason players to watch. Her play thus far has more than lived up to that billing.

“Carol is receiving a lot of interest from the college ranks,” Wooten said. “With her 3.8 grade-point average she is the whole package.”

Schroeder’s athletic abilities are not limited to the basketball court. As a freshman last year she was part of the Barons’ 4x100 relay team that advanced to the state track and field finals.

Despite all of their injuries, the Barons at 9-8 have remained competitive. The injuries have given several of the team’s younger players the opportunity to gain extended playing time. Like Schroeder, starters Ashley Quidilot, Paloma Garcia and Brooke Valdez will all be back next year. The Barons will only lose one starter to graduation: forward Natalie Bagaporo.

The future looks very bright for both Schroeder and Bonita Vista basketball.